Archive for the ‘Review’ tag

I originally bought a Canon 17-40mm f4L to use with my 5DmkII with the theory that it would be much lighter setup than lugging around my 24-70 f2.8L.

The problem was the Canon combo wasn’t that much lighter or compact… it would still be a pain. After looking around on some forums I came across a couple of months old 2nd hand Fujifilm X100S and decided to give it a shot. I sold off the 17-40 and haven’t regretted it yet!

Inspired by Mr Hobby @ Strobist I decided to gaffa (or gaffers) tape it up to give it a rough older more stealthy look. Gives some protection as well. In terms of protecting the front lens, I have two filters – one with the glass removed (this is required otherwise the lens will hit the glass while focusing) and the other on top of that. Saves me having to keep a lens cap on, though it does protrude a little. I also have a Filter Adapter Ring and Metal Lens Hood – this will let you use only filter – but it sticks out more so I don’t really use it.

With this setup, I can throw the camera around and not really worry. Gaffa tape protects the corners and the stacked filters protect the lens. It’s my home made Black Edition X100S lol.

I’ve been using this camera for a few months now, it came to Japan with me earlier in the year and performed flawlessly. It’s low light ability is excellent for its size, ISO 6400 is usable and its size/weight makes it super portable. So much so I touched my 5DMkII probably twice since I got it.

My strap of choice is the Domke 1-Inch Web Strap with Swivel – Awesome because the main strap is swivel clipped on & can be removed to make a smaller strap if required. Woven rubber in the main strap also keeps it in place when slung too. It also features little leather tabs on the rings to protect them from scrubbing/scratching the camera body.

SD card is an Eye-Fi Mobi 16GB – Integrated with the X100S which has an Eye-Fi Transfer on/off feature – This saves battery when you don’t want to transfer any images.

About this card…firstly, it’d be a good feature if it actually worked! The setting doesn’t do anything at this stage – Something I have brought up with Eye-Fi Support who tell me they are looking into it. I found a post on DPReview that showed a firmware update fixed it but they made no mention of this in my support replies. Stay Tuned.

In terms of Wifi transfer to an iPad or iPhone though, it works really well and is very easy to setup. You download an app, type in a code that you get with the card and it automatically will setup the Wifi Network on your phone – then off you go. As you take photos it will transfer to the phone when the App is active. Perfect. Unfortunately it doesn’t let you choose or browse what is on the card and selectively transfer images/videos – It will just send everything. (No RAW or vids over 2GB though)

Transmitter – CST came with a 2.5mm to PC cord – To trigger the unit while keeping the hotshoe free.

Receiver – CSRB came with a host of cables, 3.5mm to PC, 3.5mm to 3.5mm, 3.5mm to 1/4.

Batteries included in all packages. They have colour boxes and printed manuals now to add a bit of spice to the packaging, and boxes/manuals are all generic to cut down on costs.

There’s no mounting hole on the receivers so I use ball bungee’s (You can get them at Bunnings) to strap them to the lightstand or flash as needed.

The test buttons are recessed into the plastic to stop accidental power ups in your bag. I have read of people gluing a small rubber washer around it just to be really tight ass. I don’t believe it’s necessary though.

The receivers have no OFF switch either. They time out after 1 hour. Every time you trigger them this is reset. I like this as with my last triggers, I left them on most of the time – forgetting to turn them off. They are supposed to have a 200 hour life off the 2x AA batteries they run on. (Update: As of June 2010 they are still on the original batteries)

The transceiver slots straight onto the hotshoe with no locking mechanism. The thought behind this is that if for some reason you knocked it off, the trigger would not tear off the hotshoe with it. (I can’t see that happening anyway) but its very sturdy and I think will last well. Time will tell as to how long it lasts as it wears..

Initial testing shows the units trigger perfectly when my 40D is on 6.3fps. Up to my flashes to keep up.

I’ll be heading out Thursday (12/11/09) to snap up some sequences and put these to work. I’ll post them up tomorrow so come back and check out the results then.

I was lucky enough to have these brought down to me from the US, so all up they cost me less than $250USD. In fact they were free, as I got $250USD from a work award that I won. Score!